Packaging machine



March 21, 1967 v. BILAISIS PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 50, 1964 4Sheets-Sheet l w/rraans B/LA m5 1N VEN TOR.

March 21, 1967 v. BlLAlSlS 4 PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 30, 1964 4Sheets-Sheet 2 M INVENTOR.

web 2E1, 196? v. BILAlSiS PACKAGING MACHINE 4 Sheets$heet Filed April30, 1964 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,309,840 PACKAGING MACHINE Viktoras Bilaisis, 7355S. Sacramento Blvd., Chicago, Ill. 60629 Filed Apr. 30, 1964, Ser. No.363,761 32 Claims. (Cl. 53243) This invention relates generally topackaging machinery, and more particularly to an improved machine forpacking books of safety matches into small paper boxes called caddies,the caddies normally holding two rows of books of matches and the booksof each row being alternately reversely positioned with respect to eachother.

Prior to my invention, the books of matches were for the most partpacked into caddies by hand, since no satisfactory machine existed whichwas not relatively complicated and expensive.

An object of my invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, andimproved packaging machine for packing books of safety matches intocontainers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for packingbooks of safety matches into caddies, the caddies to be used beingtelescoped into one another and stacked in the machine in an invertedpostion, being fed one at a time in an inverted position from the bottomof the stack for the packing operation, and being inverted into anupright position after the packing operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine for packingbooks of safety matches into caddies, the caddies to be used beingtelescoped into ane another and stacked in the machine in an invertedposition, and the machine including vertically reciprocable grippingmeans for pulling the bottom caddy downwardly from the stack into aposition for receiving upwardly fed books of safety matches, and meansfor varying the pressure with which the gripping means grip the oppositeend portions of the caddy from a relatively high pressure exerted by thegripping means when the caddy is being pulled from the stack to arelatively low pressure exerted by the gripping means when the caddy isin match book receiving position, the relatively low pressure enablingthe upwardly fed books of safety matches to readily strip the caddy fromthe gripping means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine forpacking books of safety matches into caddies, the caddies to be usedbeing telescoped into one another and stacked in the machine in aninverted position, and the machine including vertically movable grippingmeans for pulling the bottom caddy downwardly from the stack into aposition for receiving upwardly fed books of safety matches, and meansfor bending the opposite end portions of the bottom caddy in the stackinwardly for gripping by the gripping means, whereby one and only onecaddy at a time is gripped by the gripping means even though the caddiesmay be telescoped into one another by varying amounts and cockedslightly from each other.

A still further object of the invention is to provide -a machine forpacking books of safety matches into caddies, the caddies to be usedbeing telescoped into one another and stacked in the machine in aninverted position, and the machine including vertically movable grippingmeans for pulling the bottom caddy downwardly from the stack into aposition for receiving upwardly fed books of safety matches, andclamping means for clamping the stack of 3,309,840 Patented Mar. 21,1967 caddies to prevent upward movement of the bottom caddy into animproper position for gripping by said gripping means, the clampingmeans being releasable to release the stack of caddies after the bottomcaddy has been pulled downwardly therefrom and allow the stack ofcaddies to fall so that the next caddy assumes a proper position forgripping by said gripping means.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent when the followingdescription is considered along with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a packaging machine constructed in accordancewith my invention, certain portions being omitted or broken away forclarity;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1 as viewed fromthe left in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 1,the left-hand portion of FIG. 3 showing the carriage in a raisedposit-ion just short of its extreme upper position and the caddy at thebottom of the stack in the magazine about to be gripped by thegripper-s, and the right-hand portion of FIG. 3 showing the carriage ina lowered position just short of its extreme lower position and'a caddyremoved from the stack and gripped by the grippers;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the separating fingers of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 55of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 66of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a biasing arm for the outer grippers.

A packaging machine constructed in accordance with my invent-ionincludes a stationary frame supported on a suitable base (not shown). Aninlet trough 20 for receiving rows of books of safety matches from aconveyor (not shown) is secured to a pair of side portions 22 and 23 ofthe frame. A portion 24 of the frame supports an actuator 26 for avertically reciprocable table 28 having a pair of guide rods 30respectively disposed on opposite sides of the actuator 26, each guiderod 30 being vertically reciprocable in a pair of bearings 32 secured tothe portion 24 of the frame.

A portion 34 of the frame supports an actuator 36 for a verticallyreciprocable carriage 38 having a pair of guide rods 40 respectivelydisposed on oppositesides of the actuator 36, each guide rod 40 beingvertically reciprocable in a pair of bearings 42.secured to the portion34 of the frame.

A portion 44 0f the frame is secured to the side portions 22 and 23 asshown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The portion 44 supports an actuator 46 for ahorizontally reciprocable pusher 48 having a pair of guide rods 50respectively disposed above and on opposite sides of the actuator 46,each guide rod 50 being horizontally reciprocable in the portion 44 ofthe frame, and the ends of the guide rods 50 opposite the pusher 48having a cam member 52 mounted thereon. For clarity, in FIG. 1 theportion 44 and the parts it supports are shown spaced outwardly of theirtrue positions.

Aportion 54 of'the frame supports an actuator 56 for a horizontallyreciprocable generally U-shaped pusher 58 the leg portions of whichstraddle the actuator 56 and support a cam member 60 adjacent their freeends and above the actuator 56. Beyond the actuator 56, the portion 54is twisted somewhat as a propeller, as can be seen in the end viewthereof shown in FIG. 2.

As will be understood, the actuators 26, 36, 46, and 56 each include acylinder, a piston, and a piston rod extending through one of the closedends of the cylinder. The actuators may be hydraulically operated, andcontrolled by solenoid-operated four-way control valves and limitswitches, but preferably they are pneumatically operated, and controlled-by pneumatically-operated fourway control valves and bleeder valves.The actuators, four-way control valves, and bleeder valves are readilyavailable as standard equipment and need not be further describedherein. The four-way control valves and the pneumatic circuitry per seform no part of the invention and need not be shown.

The frame includes a pair of side portions 62 and 63 supportedrespectively by the portions 22 and 23. The portion 34 is securedbetween the side portions 62 and 63. A pair of inwardly projectingsupport members 64 and 65 are mounted respectively on the side portions62 and 63 for supporting a stack of inverted caddies. The supportmembers 64 and 65 may be formed integrally respectively with the sideportions 62 and 63 if desired. A pair of guide members 66 and 67 aresecured respectively to the opposite ends of the side portions 62 and 63from the portion 34 and cooperate with the portion 34 in guiding theupper end portion of a stack of caddies (not shown) supported on thesupport members 64 and 65.

A generally arcuately curved sheet member 68 is secured to the top edgesof the side portions 22 and 23 on the end portions thereof opposite theinlet trough 20. Cooperating with the sheet member 68 to form a curvedchute are three pairs of guide rails 70, 71, and 72 secured to a pair ofsuitable braces 73. The curved chute thus formed receives invertedcaddies filled with books of safety matches from the table 28 in theraised position thereof and delivers them upright to the frame portion54 where for a purpose to be later described they strike a trip member74 (FIGS. 2 and 6) rigidly secured to a shaft 75 pivotally mountedadjacent opposite ends in a pair .of bearings 76 supported on the frameportion 54.

The carriage 38 includes a back portion 38a connected to the actuator 36and guide rods 40, a pair of side portions 38b and 380 extendingparallel to and spaced outwardly respectively from the frame sideportions 62 and 63, and a pair of front portions 38d and 38e extendinginwardly respectively toward the side portions 62 and 63 from theopposite ends of the side portions 38b and 380 from the back portion38a.

A pair .of shafts 78 and 79 are supported in the carriage 38respectively between and parallel to carriage portion 38b and frameportion 62 and between and parallel to frame portion 63 and carriageportion 380. The shafts are supported adjacent one end respectively inthe carriage portions 38d and 38c and adjacent the other end in thecarriage portion 38a. A plurality of collars 80 are secured to each ofthe shafts 78 and 79 to maintain proper spacing of other parts mountedthereon and described hereinafter.

Each of the shafts 79 and 80 has an inner gripper 82 and a pair of outergrippers 84 pivotally mounted thereon and cooperable with each other togrip an end of a caddy. Each inner gripper 82 includes a pair of spaceddepending arm portions 82a pivotally mounted adjacent one end on theirrespective shaft and having a pair of integral inwardly extendingsupport portions 82b respectively adjacent their free ends. The innerend portions of the support portions 82b of each inner gripper 82 areconnected by a gripper plate 820 secured thereto in any suitable manner.

Each outer gripper 84 is mounted generally centrally thereof so as toinclude an upwardly extending arm portion 84a and a downwardly extendingarm portion 84b. Each arm portion 84a is recessed to receive acompression spring 85 for a purpose hereinafter described. Each armportion 84b has an integral inwardly extending support portion 84cadjacent its free end, and the inner end portion .of each supportportion 840 is provided with a gripper tooth 84d formed integrallytherewith and cooperable with the respective gripper plate 820 mountedon the same shaft to grip an end of a caddy.

Each of the carriage portions 38b and 380 has secured thereto a pair ofdepending spring support housings 86 in alignment with the respectivearm portions 82a of inner grippers 82. Each housing 86 contains acompression spring 87 having an end portion anchored to its respectivearm portion 82a in any suitable manner. For example, each spring 87 maysurround a pin (not hown) mounted on the respective arm portion 82a. Thearm portions 82a and therefore the gripper plates 820 are biasedinwardly by the springs 87.

One of the problems which has been solved by the packaging machine of myinvention relates to the pressure with which the gripper teeth 84d andgripper plates 82c grip the ends of a caddy. The gripping pressure mustbe sufficiently high to hold a caddy tightly as the carriage 38 islowered in order that a caddy may be pulled loose from the stack ofinverted caddies, and yet the gripping pressure must be low enough toenable a caddy to be stripped from the grippers as the books of safetymatches are raised thereinto by the table 28. I have discovered that nosingle value of gripping pressure fulfills both of these requirements,and therefore I have provided means by which the gripping pressure isvaried and which I will now descrbe.

Each of the shafts 78 and 79 is provided with an upwardly extendingbiasing arm 90 pivotally mounted between the respective pair of outergrippers 84 and best shown in FIG. 7. Each arm 90 includes a pair oftransversely extending portions 91 respectively having a pair ofoutwardly facing recesses 92 therein aligned with the respective springs85 for receiving end portions of the respective springs 85 contained inthe arm portions 84a of the outer grippers 84. Each arm 90 also carrie arollertype cam follower 93 rotatably mounted on a pin 94.

Each of the frame side portions 62 and 63 has a cam 95 mounted thereonfor engagement by the respective cam follower 93. When the carriage 38is at the top of its stroke, the cam followers 93 will be engaged withthe thicker portions of the cams 95 and the springs 85 will exertmaximum pressure on the arm portions 84a to force the gripper teeth 84dagainst the gripper plates 82c with maximum pressure for pulling a caddyfrom the stack. When the carriage 38 is at the bottom of its stroke, thecam followers 93 will be engaged with the thinner portions of the cams95 and the springs 85 will exert maximum pressure on the arm portions84a to force the gripper teeth 84d against the gripper plates 820 withminimum pressure to enable a caddy to be readily stripped from thegrippers. Another problem which has been solved by the packaging machineof my invention relates to the gripping of one and only one caddy at atime when they overlapor are telescoped into each other by varyingamounts, such as when one caddy is cocked relative to another and theamount of overlap varies at opposite ends of the caddies. To solve thisproblem, I have provided means for bending the opposite end portions ofthe caddy at the bottom of the stack inwardly and away from the endportions of the caddy immediately above or second from the bottom of thestack, so that the grippers may readily grip the end portions only ofthe caddy at the bottom of the stack. Thus, each of the frame sideportions 62 and 63 has a pair of arms 96 pivotally mounted thereonadjacent their upper ends and disposed respectively between the armportions 82a of the inner gripper 82 and the arm portions 84b of theouter grippers 84. Each arm 96 is provided on one side with apin 97which acts as a cam follower and is biased outwardly against an innersurface of a respective arm portion 82a by a compression spring 98contained within the arm 96 and seated at one end against one of theframe side portions 62 and 63. Each arm 96 is also provided with afinger 99 pivotally mounted adjacent the lower end of the arm on a pin100 as best shown in FIG. 4 and biased upwardly into engagement with anend portion of the bottom caddy in the stack by a tension spring 102secured at one end to the arm 96 and at the other end to the finger 99.As the arms 96 are pivoted outwardly, surfaces 103 of the fingers 99will engage the edge of an end portion of the bottom caddy, and as thearms 96 are pivoted back inwardly, surfaces 104 of the fingers 99 willbend the respective end portion of the bottom caddy inwardly, as shownat the left side of FIG. 3, so that it may be readily and separatelygripped by the respective gripper plate 82c and gripper teeth 84d.

Each of the arm portions 82a of the inner grippers 82 is provided with acam follower 106 for cooperation with a respective cam 108, as bestshown at the right in FIG. 3, two of the cams 108 being secured to eachof the frame side portions 62 and 63. The springs 87 maintain the camfollowers 106 in engagement with the respective cams 108.

A pair of flat elongated cam plates 110 are pivotal- 1y mountedrespectively on the frame side portions 62 and 63 between the respectivepairs of arm portions 84b to effect movement of the outer grippers 34with respect to the inner gripper 82, each arm portion 8412 beingprovided with a pin 112 which acts as a cam follower in cooperation withone of the cam plates. Each cam plate 110 is secured adjacent its upperend centrally thereof to an arm 113 which is pivotally mounted on one ofthe side portions 62 and 63, the arms 113 being narrower than the camplates to allow the followers 112 to pass over the upper edges of therespective cam plates without interference with the arms 113. Further.each cam plate is provided adjacent its lower end with an opposed pairof slots 114 to allow the respective followers 112 to pass through thecam plate adjacent its lower end. The lower end portion of each camplate is centrally apertured to receive a screw 116 (FIG. 3), a pair ofthe screws 116 being threaded respectively into the frame side portions22 and 23. Each screw 116 has a sleeve or spacer 117 and a compressionspring 118 mounted thereon, the spring 118 normally biasing the lowerend portion of the respective cam plate 110 against the respectivespacer 117 as shown at the left in FIG. 3.

When the carriage 38 is lowered, the cams 108 force the inner grippers82 outwardly, which in turn force the outer grippers 84 outwardly. Atthe sametime, the followers 112 on the arm portions 84b force the camplates 110 outwardly (FIG. 3, right). When the followers 112 reach theslots 114 as the carriage 38 completes its downward stroke, the camplates 110 are snapped by the springs 118 against the spacers 117 andpast the followers 112 to locate the cam plates inwardly of thefollowers 112. When the carriage 38 undergoes its upward stroke, thecams 108 allow the inner grippers 82 to pivot inwardly under theinfluence of the springs 87, but the cam plates 110 and followers 112maintain the outer grippers 84 in their outerpositions (FIG. 3, left).The gripper teeth 84d thus become separated from the gripper plates 82cso that the end portions of the bottom caddy, as located by the surfaces104 on the fingers 99, may be respectively received therebetween. Whenthe carriage 38 completes its upward stroke, the followers 112 clear theupper edges of the cam plates 110 and allow the outer grippers 84 to besnapped inwardly under the influence of the springs 85 to clamp the endportions of the bottom caddy respectively between the gripper teeth 84dand the gripper plates 82c.

When the carriage 38 is in its lower position and the grippers 82 and 84are holding a caddy in position to receive books of safety matches, thetable 28 is raised to push the books of safety matches into the caddyand to strip the caddy from the grippers. Should one end of the caddy bereleased before the other, the caddy might tilt and books of matchesmight be spilled. For this reason, a pair of one-way stop members 120are pivotally mounted respectively on the lower portions of the caddysupport members 64 and 65, the stop member on the support member 64being omitted in FIG. 3 for clarity. The stop members 120 are biased bytorsion springs (not shown) to a position in which they preventexcessive upward movement of a caddy upon its being stripped from thegrippers, but upon downward movement of a caddy, the stop members 120are pivoted out of the way by the caddy.

When the stack of caddies becomes relatively small as they are used,their weight acting to hold the bottom caddy against the fingers 99 alsobecomes relatively small, and the bottom caddy might possibly rise sothat its end portions become disengage-d from the surfaces 104 on thefingers and resume their original shape so as not to be in properposition for gripping by the grippers 82 and 84. To prevent such anoccurrence, a vertically disposed clamping bar 122 is provided to clampthe lower end of the stack of caddies against the frame portion 34 andprevent their upward movement. The clamping pressure must be released,however, to allow the remaining caddies to fall down after the bottomone has been removed by the grippers. Therefore, a cam 124 is providedon the carriage side portion 380 adjacent the front portion 38c. Theclamping bar 122 is rigidly mounted on the free end portion of an arm125 keyed adjacent its other end to the lower end of a shaft 126rotatably supported in a bearing 128 secured to the guide member 67. Anarm 129 is keyed adjacent one end to the upper end of the shaft 126 andcarries ,a cam follower 130 .on its free end for co-. operation with thecam 124. As the carriage 38 is'raised, the cam 124 pushes the follower130 outwardly to pivot the arm 129, shaft 126, and arm 125, and pressthe clamping bar 122 against the. stack of caddies to maintain thebottom caddy in proper position for gripping. As the carriage 38 islowered, the bottom caddy is removed from the stack and the cam 124releases the clamping pressure and allows the remaining caddies in thestack to fall against the support members 64 and 65.

When the table 28 is raised to push two rows of books of safety matchesinto a caddy, it is possible that some of the books of matches may beout of alignment. To insure that the books of matches are properlyaligned before they reach a caddy, a pair of centeringvanes 132 (FIGS. 1and 5) is provided. The centering vanes 132 are rigidly mountedrespectively on a pair of shafts 133 rotatably supported adjacentopposite ends in the frame side portions 22 and 23. The centering vanesare normally maintained respectively in proper position by a pair ofbiasing springs (not shown) which bias a pair of dogs 134 (FIG. 2)respectively secured to the outer end portions of shafts 133 towardengagement respectively with a pair of stops 136 secured to the frameside portion 22.

A number of bleeder valves are provided to control the operation of themachine. Thus, a bleeder valve 140 (FIG. 5) is secured to the frame sideportion 23 and is operable by a dog 141 rigidly secured to a shaft 142rotatably mounted adjacent opposite ends in the frame side portions 22and 23. A trip member 144 is rigidly secured to the shaft 142 foroperation by a row of books of safety matches fed to the table 28 fromthe inlet trough 20.

A bleeder valve 146 is secured to the frame portion 24 for operation bythe table 28. A bleeder valve 148 (FIGS. 2 and 6) is secured to abracket 149 supported by the frame portion 54 and is operable by a dog150 keyed to the shaft 75.

A bleeder valve 152 (FIG. 1) is secured to a bracket 153 supported bythe frame portion 44 and is operable by the cam member 52. For clarity,the bleeder valve 152 and bracket 153 are omitted in FIG. 2. A bleedervalve 154 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 6) is secured to a bracket 155 supported bythe frame portion 24 and is operable by the cam member 60.

Operation Assuming that a caddy has been pulled down from the stack bythe grippers 82 and 84 into a position for receiving books of safetymatches and that rows of books of safety matches are being fed into themachine from the inlet trough 20, when two rows of books of safetymatches are on the table 28 and are forced far enough to the right asviewed in FIG. 5, the trip member 144 is operated to turn the shaft 142counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 5. The dog 141 is thus pivoted tooperate the bleeder valve 140. Operation of the bleeder valve 140 causesshifting of a four-way control valve (not shown) for the actuator 26,and the actuator 26 raises the table 28 to push the two rows of books ofsafety matches through the centering vanes 132 and into the invertedcaddy held by the grippers 82 and 84. It will be noted that raising ofthe table 28 also cuts off the flow of books of safety matches from theinlet trough 20. Further upward movement of the table 28 strips theinverted caddy containing the books of safety matches from the grippers,the stop members 120 preventing the caddy from rising so high as tospill the books of safety matches, and a portion of the table 28operates the bleeder valve 146 to shift a four-way control valve (notshown) for the actuator 46. The pusher 48 is then actuated by theactuator 46 to push the inverted caddy containing the books of safetymatches off the raised table 28 down the curved chute formed by thecurved sheet member 68 and the guide rails 70, 71, and 72.

As the inverted caddy is pushed off the raised table 28, the cam member52 operates the bleeder valve 152, which causes shifting of threefour-way control valves (not shown) for the actuators 26, 36, and 46,respectively. Then the actuator 26 lowers the table 28 into position toreceive two more rows of books of safety matches, the actuator 36 raisesthe carriage 38, and the actuator 46 returns the pusher 48.

As the carriage 38 is raised, the cams 108 allow the cam followers 106and the inner grippers 82 to pivot inwardly under the influence of thesprings 87, while the cam plates 110 and cam follower pins 112 retainthe outer grippers 84 in their outer position, although the force of thesprings 85 tending to pivot the outer grippers 84 inwardly is increasedby the earns 95 and biasing arms 90. Also as the carriage is raised, thecam 124 thereon forces the cam follower 130 outwardly to pivot the arm129, shaft 126, and arm 125 and thereby clamp the stack of invertedcaddies against the frame portion 34 by the clamp 122. Futher, as theinner grippers 82 pivot inwardly, the cam follower pins 97 and arms 96are pivoted inwardly to force the opposite end portions of the bottomcaddy inwardly by the surfaces 104 on the fingers 99, thereby placingthe opposite end portions of the bottom caddy in proper position to begripped. When the carriage 38 completes its upward stroke, the camfollowers 112 clear the upper edges of the cam plates 110 and allow theouter grippers 84 to be snapped inwardly under the influence of thesprings 85 to clamp the end portions of the bottom caddy respectivelybetween the gripper teeth 84d and the gripper plates 820.

The inverted caddy containing the books of safety matches lands in anessentially upright position at the bottom of the chute formed by thecurved sheet member 68 and the guide rails 70, 71, and 72 and strikesthe trip member 74 to operate the bleeder valve 148. Operation of thebleeder valve 148 causes shifting of a four-way control valve (notshown) for the actuator 56. The pusher 58 is then actuated by theactuator 56 to push the filled caddy along the portion 54 of the frameout of the way of the next succeeding filled caddy. The filled caddiesare eventually pushed off the portion 54 of the machine to an outlettrough or conveyor (not shown). As the pusher 58 completes its forwardstroke, the cam member operates the bleeder valve 154, which causesshifting of two four-way control valves (not shown) for the actuators 36and 56, respectively. The actuator 56 then returns the pusher 58, andthe actuator 36 lowers the carriage 38 to pull the bottom caddy from thestack into a position to receive the next two rows of books of matchesfed upwardly by the table 28.

As the carriage 38 is lowered, the grippers 82 and 84 pull the inwardlybent opposite end portions of the gripped caddy downwardly past thesupport members 64 and 65, the fingers 99 and the stop members 120 beingpivoted out of the way, but returning to their normal positions afterthe caddy has passed. Upon further lowering of the carriage 38, the cams108 pivot the cam followers 106, inner grippers 82, and outer grippers84 outwradly to restore the inwardly bent opposite end portions of thegripped caddy to their normal position, while the cams allow the biasingarms 90 to pivot inwardly to decrease the clamping pressure between thegripper plates 82c and the gripper teeth 84d, so that the gripped caddymay later be readily stripped from the gripprs by rows of books ofsafety matches fed upwardly by the table 28. Also, while the carriage 38is being lowered, the cam 124 releases the clamping pressure exerted onthe stack of caddies in the machine by the clamping bar 122, so that thestack of caddies may fall to place the next caddy in engagement with thesupport members 64 and 65, and the pivoting of the inner grippers 82outwardly allows the arms 96 to pivot outwardly to place the surfaces104 on the finger 99 in proper position to force the opposite endportions of the next caddy inwardly. The cam follower pins 112 on theouter grippers 84 pivot the cam plates outwardly as the carriage 38 islowered. When the carriage 38 completes its downward stroke, the pins112 align with the slots 114 and the plates 110 are forced inwardly ofthe pins 112 by the springs 118 so as to be in position to retain theouter grippers 84 in their outer position during the next upward strokeof the carriage 38.

It will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive, and improvedpackaging machine for packing rows of books of safety matches intocaddies, the caddies to be used being telescoped into one another andstacked in the machine in an inverted position, being fed one at a timein an inverted position from the bottom of the stack for the packingoperation, and being inverted into an upright position after the packingoperation, and the machine including vertically reciprocable grippingmeans for pulling the bottom caddy downwardly from the stack into aposition for receiving upwardly fed books of safety matches, pressurevarying means for varying the pressure with which the gripping meansgrip the opposite end portions of a caddy from a relatively highpressure exerted by the gripping means when the caddy is being pulledfrom the stack to a relatively low pressure exerted by the grippingmeans when the caddy is in match book receiving position so thatupwardly fed books of safety matches may readily strip the caddy fromthe gripping means, bending means for bending the opposite end portionsof the bottom caddy in the stack inwardly for gripping by the grippingmeans whereby one and only one caddy at a time is gripped by thegripping means even though the caddies may be telescoped into oneanother by varying amounts and cocked slightly from each other, andclamping means for clamping the stack of caddies to prevent upwardmovement of the bottom caddy into an improper position in which thebending means is inoperative to properly position the opposite endportions of the bottom caddy for gripping by the gripping means.

Various modifications may be made in the structure shown and describedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. While theinvention has been described as particularly useful for packaging booksof r 9 safety matches, other articles arranged in orderly rows may bepackaged by a machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

I claim:

1. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, verticallyreciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pairof gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable togrip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions ofa bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, saidgripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move saidbottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said containerin an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,and

(b) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articlesfed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable fromsaid lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said invertedcontainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted containerwith said articles and to push said articles farther to strip saidfilled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose saidfilled inverted container on said table in an upper position of saidtable.

2. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, verticallyreciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pairof gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable togrip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions ofa bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, saidgripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move saidbottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said containerin an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,

(b) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articlesfed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable fromsaid lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said invertedcontainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted containerwith said articles and to push said articles farther to strip saidfilled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose saidfilled inverted container on said table in an upper position of saidtable, and

(c) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filledinverted container off said table in said upper position thereof.

3. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, verticallyreciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pairof gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable togrip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions ofa bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, saidgripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move saidbottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said containerin an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, r

(b) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articlesfed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable fromsaid lower 1G position to push articles thereon upwardly into saidinverted container held by said gripping means to fill said invertedcontainer with said articles and to push said articles farther to stripsaid filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose saidfilled inverted container on said table in an upper position of saidtable,

(c) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filledinverted container off said table in said upper position thereof, and

(d) chute means for receiving said filled inverted container from saidtable and delivering said filled container in a generally uprightposition.

4. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, verticallyreciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pairof gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable togrip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end, portionsof a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, saidgripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move saidbottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said containerin an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,

(b) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articlesfed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable fromsaid lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said invertedcontainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted containerwith said articles and to push said articles farther to strip saidfilled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose saidfilled inverted container on said table in an upper position of saidtable,

(c) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for pushing said filledinverted container off said table in said upper position thereof,

(d) chute means for receiving said filled inverted container from saidtable and delivering said filled container in a generally uprightposition,

(e) platform means for receiving said'filled upright container from saidchute means, and

(f) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for pushing saidfilled upright container along said platform means.

5. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, horizontallyreciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly torespectively bend the opposite end portions of a bottom container in astack of inverted nested containers inwardly and away from the oppositeend portions of a next succeeding container in said stack,

(b) a pair of spaced vertically and horizontally reciprocable, openableand closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portionsopenable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween arespective one of said inwardly bent opposite end portions of saidbottom container, said gripping means being lowerable from an upperposition to move said bottorn container downwardly from said stack anddispose said container in an inverted position for receiving articlesfed upwardly thereinto, said gripping means also being movablehorizontally outwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end portionsof said inverted container back outwardly to the normal positionthereof,

(c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articlesfed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable fromsaid lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted12 of, said table being raisable from said lower position to pusharticles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by saidgripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and topush said container held by said gripping means to fill said articlesfarther to strip said filled inverted container inverted container withsaid articles and to push said from said gripping means and dispose saidfilled inarticles farther to strip said filled inverted container vertedcontainer on said table in an upper position of from said gripping meansand dispose said filled said table, and

inverted container on said table in an upper position (d) horizontallyreciprocable pusher means for pushof said table, and ing said filledinverted container off said table in said upper position thereof.

(d) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filledinverted container ofi sa-id table in sa d 8. A. packaging machine forfeeding containers one at a upper position thereof. time from the bottomof a stack of inverted nested con- 6. A packaging machine for feedingcontainers one at tainers and for packing articles therein, said machinecoma time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested con- 15 prisingtainers and for packing articles therein, said machine (a) a pair ofspaced, horizontally reciprocable bendcomprising ing means respectivelymovable horizontally inwardly (a) a pair of spaced, verticallyreciprocable, openable to respectively bend the opposite end portions ofa and closable gripping means each including a pair of, said table beingraisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly intosaid inverted container held by said gripping means to fill saidinverted container with said articles and to push said bottom containerin a stack of inverted nested con- Of pp Portions Openable to receivether tw n tainers inwardly and away from the opposite end porandclosable to grip therebetween a respective one tions of a nextsucceeding container in said stack, of a pair of opposite end portionsof a bottom con- (b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontallyretainer in a stack of inverted nested containers, said ciprocable,openable and closable gripping means gripping means being lowerable froman upper posieach including a pair of gripping portions openable tion tomove said bottom container downwardly from to receive therebetween andclosable to grip theresaid stack and dispose said container in aninverted between a respective one of said inwardly bent opposition forreceiving articles fed upwardly thereposite end portions of said bottomcontainer, said into, gripping means being lowerable from an upper posi-(b) gripping pressure varying means for varying the tion to move saidbottom container downwardly from pressure with which said gripping meansrespecsaid stack and dispose said container in an inverted tively gripsaid opposite end portions of said inverted position for receivingarticles fed upwardly thereinto, container from a relatively highpressure exerted by said gripping means also being movable horizontallysaid gripping means when said inverted container is outwardly to bendsaid inwardly bent opposite end being pulled from said stack to arelatively low presportions of said inverted container back outwardlysure exerted by said gripping means when said in- 39 to the normalposition thereof, verted container is in said position for receivingarti- (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally recles fedupwardly thereinto, ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower positionthereof, (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally resaidtable being raisable from said lower position to ceiving articles fedthereto in a lower position there- 40 push articles thereon upwardlyinto said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill saidinverted container with said articles and to push said articles fartherto strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means anddispose said filled inverted container on said table in an upperposition of said table,

(d) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filledinverted container off said table in said upper position thereof, and

(e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted container from saidtable and delivering said filled container in a generally uprightposition.

9. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine articles farther to strip said filled invertedcontainer from said gripping means and dispose said filled invertedcontainer on said table in an upper position of said table, and (d)horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filled invertedcontainer off said table in said upper position thereof. 7. A packagingmachine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stackof inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, saidmachine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable,openable 5O compflslng and closable gripping means each including a pairof 8 P of P F vertlcally feclProcable, openfible gripping portionsopenable to receive therebetween f closable PP means each lllfiludmg a POf and closable to grip therebetween a respective one PPPOItIOHSOPeHabIB to r c ive therebetween f a i f Opposite end pol-tionsof a bottom and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of tainerin a stack of inverted nested containers, said f P of PPP end POIUOHS ofi rX} IiIHII IeI' gripping means being lowerable f an upper Posiin astack of inverted nested containers, sa1d gr pping tion to move saidbottom container downwardly means belng lowefable-ffom an pp POSIUOII tofrom said stack and dispose said container in an move Said bottomContainer downwardly from i inverted position for receiving articles fedupwardly stack and dispose said container in an inverted posithereinto,69 tion for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, (b) clampingmeans for clamping said stack of in- (b) gripping pressure varying meansfor varying the verted nested containers to prevent movement of pressurewith which said gripping means respectively said bottom container intoan improper position for grip said opposite end portions of saidinverted congripping by said gripping means, said clamping means 70tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said being releasableto release said stack of containers gripping means when said invertedcontainer is being after said bottom container has been pulleddownpulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure wardlytherefrom, exerted by said gripping means when said inverted (c) avertically reciprocable table for horizontally recontainer is in saidposition for receiving articles fed ceiving articles fed thereto in alower position there- 7 upwardly thereinto,

13 (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receivingarticles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table beingraisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly intosaid inverted i4 zontally outwardly to bend said inwardly bent oppositeend portions of said inverted container back outwardly to the normalposition thereof, gripping pressure varying means for varying thecontainer held by said gripping means to fi'll said in- 5 pressure withwhich said gripping means respectively verted container with saidarticles and to push said grip said opposite end portions of saidinverted conarticles farther to strip said filled inverted containertainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said from saidgripping means and dispose said filled ingripping means when saidinverted container is beverted container on said table in an upperposition ing pulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure of saidtable, exerted by said gripping means when said inverted (d)horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushcontainer is in saidposition for receiving articles ing said filled inverted container offsaid table in said fed upwardly thereinto, upper position thereof, and(d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally re- (e) chute meansfor receiving said filled inverted conceiving articles fed thereto in alower position theretainer from said table and delivering said filledconof, said table being raisable from said lower position tainer in agenerally upright position. 10. A packaging machine for feedingcontainers one at to push articles thereon upwardly into said invertedcontainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted containerwith said articles and to push said articles farther to strip saidfilled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose saidfilled inverted container on said table in an upper position of saidtable, and

(e) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filledinverted container ofi said table in said upper position thereof.

12. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comprising a time from the bottom of a stack ofinverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, saidmachine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable,openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of grippingportions openable to receive therebetween and closable to griptherebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions of abottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, said grippingmeans being lowerable from an upper position to move said bottomcontainer downwardly from said stack and dispose said container in aninverted position for receiving articles fed up- (a) a pair of spaced,horizontally reciprocable bendwardly thereinto, ing means respectivelymovable horizon-tally in- (b) clamping means for clamping said stack ofinwardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions verted nestedcontainers to prevent movement of said of a bottom container in a stackof inverted nested bottom container into an improper position forgripcontainers inwardly and away from the opposite end ping by saidgripping means, said clamping means portions of a next succeedingcontainer in said stack, being releasable to release said stack ofcontainers a P ir Of sp c vertically an horizontally reafter said bottomcontainer has been pulled downciprocable, openable and closable grippingmeans wardly therefrom, each including a pair of gripping portionsopenable (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally retoreceive therebetween and closable to grip thereceiving articles fedthereto in a lower position therebetween a respective one of saidinwardly bent oppoof, said table being raisable from said lower positionsite end portions of said bottom container, said gripto push articlesthereon upwardly into said inverted ping means being lowerable from anupper position container held by said gripping means to fill said intomove said bottom container downwardly from verted container with saidarticles and to push said said stack and dispose said container in aninverted articles farther to strip said filled inverted containerposition for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, from saidgripping means and dispose said filled insaid gripping means also beingmovable horizontally verted container on said table in an upper positionoutwardly bend Said inwardly bent Opposite end of said table, portionsof said inverted container back outwardly (d) horizontally reciprocablepusher means for push- 0 th n rmal position thereof, ing said filledinverted container otf said table in said p g means for ping S id ck Ofinupper position thereof, and verted nested containers to preventmovement of (e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted con- Saidtt m contain r into an improper position for tainer from said table anddelivering said filled cong pp y Said pp g means, Said mp ng 1 11 tainerin a generally upright ositio being releasable to release said stack ofcontainers 11, A a kaging a hine for feeding ontainer one after saidbottom container has been pulled downat a time from the bottom of astack of inverted nested wardly therefrom, containers and for packingarticles therein, said machine a vertically reciprocable table forhorizontally recomprising ceiving articles fed thereto in a lowerposition there- (a) a pair of s aced, horizontally reciprocable bendingof, said table being raisable from said lower position meansrespectively movable horizontally inwardly to 0 p i l s there n upwardlyinto said inverted respectively bend the opposite end portions of abotcontainer held by said gripping means to fill said intom container ina stack of inverted nested containers v rt n iner with said articles andto push said inwardly and away from the opposite end portions articlesfarther to strip said filled inverted container of a next succeedingcontainer in said stack, f m sa d gripping means and dispose said filledin- (b) a pair of a ed, vertically and horizontally verted container onsaid table in an upper position of ciprocable, openable and closablegripping means said table, and each including a pair of gri ing ortionopenable (e) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushto receivtherebetween and losable to gri th ing said filled inverted container01f said table in said between a respective one of said inwardly bentoppoupper position thereof. site end portions of said bottom container,said grip- 13. A pack-aging machine for feeding containers one at a timefrom the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packingarticles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced,vertically reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means eachincluding a pair of ping means being lowerable from an upper position tomove said bottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose saidcontainer in an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardlythereinto, said gripping means also being movable horigripping portionsopenable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween arespective one of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom containerin a stack of inverted nested containers, said is verted container heldby said gripping means to fill said inverted container with saidarticles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled invertedcontainer from said gripping means and dispose said gripping means beinglowerable from an upper posifilled inverted container on said table inan upper tion to move said bottom container downwardly position of saidtable, from said stack and dispose said container in an in- (e)horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushver ted position forreceiving articles fed upwardly ing said filled inverted container offsaid table in said thereinto, upper position thereof, and (b) grippingpressure varying means for varying the (f) chute means for receivingsaid filled inverted con- PTeSShre With Which Said pp means respectivelytainer from said table and delivering said filled congrip said oppositeend portions of said inverted container in a generally upright position.tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said A packagingmachine for feeding containers one pp means When Said inverted Containeris at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested ihg Pulledfrom Said Stack to a relatively low P 15 containers and for packingarticles therein, said machine sure exerted by said gripping means whensaid incomprising verted container is in said position for receiving a if spaced, horizontally reciprocable bendarticles fed upwardly thereinto,ing means respectively movable horizontally inp g means for ClampingSaid stack of wardly to respectively bend the opposite end portionsverted nested containers to prevent movement of aid of a bottomcontainer in a stack of inverted nested bottom Container into all p pPosition for pcontainers inwardly and away from the opposite end P ySaid pp g means, Said Clamping means portions of a next succeedingcontainer in said stack, being releasable to release said stack ofcontainers (b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally re aftersaid bottom container has been pulled dOWl'ii rocable, penable andclosable gripping means wardly therefrom, each including a pair ofgripping portions openable a Vertically reciprocable table forhorizontally to receive therebetween and closable to grip thereceivingarticles fed thereto in a lower position therebetween a respective one fi inwardly bent OPPO- said table being raisable from Said lower positionsite end portions of said bottom container, said griptO push articlesthereon upwardly lIltO said inverted ing means being lowerable from anupper position container hel l y Said gripping means to fill Said tomove said bottom container downwardly from inverted container with saidarticles and to push said said Stack and disposa i container i an i darticles farther to strip said filled inverted container position f rreceiving articles f d upwardly therefrom Said pp means and dispose Saidfilled into, said gripping means also being movable horiverted COn i 011Said table in an pp Position zontally outwardly to bend said inwardlybent oppo- Of Said table, and site end portions of said invertedcontainer back out- (e) horizontally reciprocable pusher means forpushwardly to the normal i i thergof,

ing said filled inverted container off said table in said clamping meansfo l i Said Stack of i pp Position thereotverted nested containers toprevent movement of said A Packaging machine for feeding containers onebottom container into an improper position for gripdt a time from thebottom Of a StaCk Of ll'lVEI'tCd IlBSl'fid 40 ing by said gripping meansaid clamping means Containers and for Packing articles therein Saidmachine being releasable to release said stack of containers compiisihgafter said bottom container has been pulled down- (a) a pair of spaced,horizontally reciprocable benddl therefrom,

ihg means respectively movable horizontally inwardly (d) a verticallyreciprocable table for horizontally reto respectively bend the pp endPortions of a ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower positiontherebottom container in a stack of inverted nested conf id bl b iraisablg from id lower iti miners inwardly and 21Way from the pp end topush articles thereon upwardly into said inverted portions of a nextsucceeding container in said stack, container h by said i i means tofill said a P of Spaced, Vertically and horizontally verted containerwith said articles and to push said oipioeahle, opehable and closable ppmeans articles farther to strip said filled inverted container eaehincluding a P of pp Portions oPehable from said gripping means anddispose said filled intO r i therebetween and closable to p thefevertedcontainer on said table in an upper position between a respective one ofsaid inwardly bent opof id table, Posite end Portions of Said bottomContainer, Said (6) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushe ppmeans heihg loweiahle from an PP P ing said filled inverted containerolT said table in said tion to move said bottom container downwardly ero ition thereof, a d from said stack and dispose said C nta n r i all(f) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conihvei'ted Positionfor receiving articles fed upwardly tainer from said table anddelivering said filled conthereinto, said gripping means also beingmovable tainer in a generally upright i i horizontally outwardly to bendsaid lhwaidly bent 16. A packaging machine for feeding containers oneopposite end Poltlons of Said lllverted contamer back at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested outwardly to the normal Posmonthreof, containers and for packing articles therein, said machine (c)gripping pressure varying means for varying the comprising prflssur?with which Said gripping respectively (a) a pair of spaced, verticallyreciprocable, openable i sald opposite P 0.1110118 of Sald Inverted Pand closable gripping means each including a pair tainer from arelatively high pressure exerted by said f 0 0 b1 t th gripping meanswhen said inverted container is being 0 anppm por ions opepa e 0 rec Wepulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure hetween and clqsableto g therebetween a respec' exerted by said gripping means when saidinverted live one a l of opposite 9 Portlons of a botcontainer is insaid position for receiving articles fed i contafner l Stack of "lnested upwardly thereinto, tamers, said gripping means being lowerablefrom (d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally rean ppPosition to move Said bottom Contalner ceiving articles fed thereto in alower position theredownwardly from said stack and dispose said conof,said table being raisable from said lower positainer in an invertedposition for receiving articles U011 to push art e es thereon upwardlyinto said in- 7 fed upwardly thereinto,

17 (b) gripping pressure varying means for varying the pressure withwhich said gripping means respectively grip said opposite end portionsof said inverted container from a relatively high pressure exerted by 18of, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articlesthereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said grippingmeans to fill said inverted container with said articles and to pushsaid said gripping means when said inverted container is articlesfarther to strip said filled inverted container being pulled from saidstack to a relatively low presfrom said gripping means and dispose saidfilled sure exerted by said gripping means when said ininvertedcontainer on said table in an upper position vertedcontainer is in saidposition for receiving artiof said table, and

cles fed upwardly thereinto, (f) horizontally reciprocable pusher meansfor push- (c) clamping means for clamping said stack of l ing saidfilled inverted container off said table in said verted nestedcontainers to prevent movement of said upper position thereof.

bottom container into an improper position for gripping by said grippingmeans, said clamping means being releasable to release said stack ofcontainers after said bottom container has been pulled downwardlytherefrom,

(d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articlesfed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable fromsaid lower position (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocablebending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectivelybend the opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack ofinverted to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted nestedcontainers inwardly and away from the oppocontainer held by saidgripping means to fill said site end portions of a next succeedingcontainer in inverted container with said articles and to push saidstack, said articles farther to strip said filled inverted con- (b) apair of spaced, vertically and horizontally reciptainer from saidgripping means and dispose said rocable, openable and closable grippingmeans each filled inverted container on said table in an upper includinga pair of gripping portions openable to position of said table, receivetherebetween and closable to grip there- (e) horizontally reciprocablepusher means for pushbetween a respective one of said inwardly bentoppoing said filled inverted container off said table in site endportions of said bottom container, said gripsaid upper position thereof,and ping means being lowerable from an upper position (f) chute meansfor receiving said filled inverted conto move said bottom containerdownwardly from tainer from said table and delivering said filledcontainer in a generally upright position. 17. A packaging machine forfeeding containers one said stack and dispose said container in aninverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, saidgripping means also being movable horiat a time from the bottom of astack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein,said machine comprising zontally outwardly to bend said inwardly bentopposite end portions of said inverted container back outwardly to thenormal position thereof,

(a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bending meansrespectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectively bend theopposite end por- (c) gripping pressure varying means for varying thepressure with which said gripping means respectively grip said oppositeend portions of said inverted contions of a bottom container in a stackof inverted tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by nestedcontainers inwardly and away from the opposaid gripping means when saidinverted container is site end portions of a next succeeding containerin being pulled from said stack to a relatively low said stack, pressureexerted by said gripping means when said (b) a pair of spaced,vertically and horizontally recipinverted container is in said positionfor receiving rocable, openable and closable gripping means eacharticles fed upwardly thereinto, including a pair of gripping portionsopenable to (d) clamping means for clamping said stack of inreceivetherebetween and closable to grip thereverted nested containers toprevent movement of said between a respective one of said inwardly bentoppobottom container into an improper position for gripsite end portionsof said bottom container, said gripping by said gripping means, saidclamping means ping means being lowerable from an upper position beingreleasable to release said stack of containers to move said bottomcontainer downwardly from said after said bottom container has beenpulled downstack and dispose said container in an inverted posiwardlytherefrom, tion for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, (e) avertically reciprocable table for horizontally resaid gripping meansalso being movable horizontally ceiving articles fed thereto in a lowerposition thereoutwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end of, saidtable being raisable from said lower position portions of said invertedcontainer back outwardly to push articles thereon upwardly into saidinverted to the normal position thereof, container held by said grippingmeans to fill said (0) gripping pressure varying means for varying theinverted container with said articles and to push said pressure withwhich said gripping means respectively articles farther to strip saidfilled inverted container grip said opposite end portions of saidinverted con- 0 from said gripping means and dispose said filledintainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said vertedcontainer on said table in an upper position gripping means when saidinverted container is being of said table, pulled from said stack to arelatively low pressure (f) horizontally reciprocable pusher means forpushexerted by said gripping means when said inverted ing said filledinverted container off said table in said containeris in said positionfor receiving articles pper positi n th reof, and

(g) chute means for receiving said filled inverted container from saidtable and delivering said filled container in a generally uprightposition.

19. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, horizontallyreciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly torespectively bend the opposite end portions of a bot- 1 9 tom containerin a stack of inverted nested containers inwardly and away from theopposite end portions of a next succeeding container in said stack,

(b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally tainer from said tableand delivering said filled container in a generally upright position,

(i) platform means for receiving said filled upright container from saidchute means, and

reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means (g) horizontallyreciprocable second pusher means for each including a pair of grippingportions openable pushing said filled upright container along saidplatto receive therebetween and closable to grip thereform means.

between a respective one of said inwardly bent oppo- 21. A packagingmachine for feeding containers one at site end portions of said bottomcontainer, said a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nestedcongripping means being lowerable from an upper posi- 10 tainers and forpacking articles therein, said machine tion to move said bottomcontainer downwardly from comprising said stack and dispose saidcontainer in an inverted (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable,openable position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereand closablegripping means each including a pair of into, said gripping means alsobeing movable horigripping portions openable to receive therebetweenzontally outwardly to bend said inwardly bent oppoand closable to griptherebetween a respective site end portions of said inverted containerback outone of a pair of opposite end portions of a wardly to the normalposition thereof, bottom container in a stack of inverted nested con-(c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally retainers, saidgripping means being lowerable from an ceiving articles fed thereto in alower position thereof, upper position to move said bottom containerdownsaid table being raisable from said lower position to wardly fromsaid stack and dispose said container in push articles thereon upwardlyinto said inverted conan inverted position for receiving articles feduptainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted wardlythereinto, container with said articles and to push said articles (b)clamping means for clamping said stack of inverted farther to strip saidfilled inverted container from said nested containers to preventmovement of said botgripping means and dispose said filled invertedcontom container into an improper position for gripping tainer on saidtable in an upper position of said table, by said gripping means, saidclamping means being (d) horizontally reciprocable first pusher meansfor releaseable to release said stack of containers after pushing saidfilled inverted container off said table in said bottom container hasbeen pulled downwardly said upper position thereof, therefrom,

(e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted con- (c) a verticallyreciprocable table for horizontally retainer from said table anddelivering said filled conceiving articles fed thereto in a lowerposition thereof, tainer in a generally upright position, said tablebeing raisable from said lower position to (f) platform means forreceiving said filled upright push articles thereon upwardly into saidinverted concontainer from said chute means, and tainer held by saidgripping means to fill said inverted (g) horizontally reciprocablesecond pusher means for container with said articles and to push saidarticles pushing said filled upright container along said platfarther tostrip said filled inverted container from said form means. grippingmeans and dispose said filled inverted con- 20. A packaging machine forfeeding containers one at tainer on said table in an upper position ofsaid table,

a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested con- (d)horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for tainers and for packingarticles therein, said machine 40 pushing said filled inverted containeroff said table in comprising said upper position thereof,

(a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable (e) chute meansfor receiving said filled inverted conand closable gripping means eachincluding a pair of tainer from said table and delivering said filledcongripping portions openable to receive therebetween tainer in agenerally upright position, and closable to grip therebetween arespective one of (f) platform means for receiving said filled uprightcona pair of opposite end portions of a bottom container from said chutemeans, and tainer in a stack of inverted nested containers, said (g)horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for gripping means beinglowerable from an upper posipushing said filled upright container alongsaid plattion to move said bottom container downwardly from form means.said stack and dispose said container in an inverted 5O 22. A packagingmachine for feeding containers one at position for receiving articlesfed upwardly thereinto, a time from the bottom of a stack of invertednested con- (b) gripping pressure Varying me f arying th tainers and forpacking articles therein, said machine pressure with which said grippingmeans respectively Comprising grip said opposite end portions of saidinverted cona P of p horizontally faciprflcable bending tainer from arelatively high pressure exerted by said means f p y m0Vab1e]101'iZ0I1ta11Y inwardly to gripping means when said inverted containeris being respectlvely befld the oppofilte end Portions of pulled fromSaid Stack to a relatively low pressure tom container in a stack ofinverted nested containers exerted by said gripping means when saidinverted inwardly and w from.the 9 end pomons of container is in saidposition for receiving articles fed next .succeedmg contanier m sald qupwardly therein), I t a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally re-(c) a vertically reciprocable tab e for horizontally reclproqablePpenable and closable gnppmg means each including a pair of grippingportions openable ce ving articles fed thereto in a lower position therf, to receive therebetween and closable to grip theresaid table beingraisable from said lower position to between a respective one of saidinwardly bent oppo push artlcles thereon upwardly into said invertedcon- Site end portions of Said bottom container, Said tainer held bysaid gripping means to fill said inverted ri i means b i l bl fro anupper icontainer with said articles and to push said articles tio to movid b tt container d dl f o farther to strip said filled invertedcontainer from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted saidgripping means and dispose said filled inverted position for receivingarticles fed upwardly thereinto container on said table in an upperposition of said said gripping means also being movable horizontallytable,

(d) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for pushing said filledinverted container off said table in said upper position thereof,

(e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conoutwardly to bendsaid inwardly bent opposite end portions of said inverted container backoutwardly to the normal position thereof,

(0) gripping pressure varying means for varying the pressure with whichsaid gripping means respectively 21 grip said opposite end portions ofsaid inverted container from a relatively high pressure exerted by saidgripping means when said inverted container is being pulled from saidstack to a relatively low pressure g) platform means for receiving saidfilled upright container from said chute means, and

(h) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for pushing saidfilled upright container along said platexerted by said gripping meanswhen said inverted form means. container is in said position forreceiving articles fed 24- A packaging m in fOr feeding C n iners Oupwardly thereinto, at a time from the bottom of a stack of invertednested (d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally recontainersand for packing articles therein, said machine ceiving articles fedthereto in a lower position thereof, comprising said table beingraisable from said lower position to (a) a pair of spaced, verticallyreciprocable, openable push articles thereon upwardly into said invertedand closable gripping means each including a pair container held by saidgripping means to fill said inof gripping portions openable to receivetherebeverted container with said articles and to push said tween andclosable to grip therebetween a respective articles father to strip saidfilled inverted container one of a pair of opposite end portions of abottom from said gripping means and dispose said filled container in astack of inverted nested containers, inverted container on said table inan upper position said gripping means being lowerable from an upper ofsaid table, position to move said bottom container downwardly (e)horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for from said stack anddispose said container in an pushing said filled inverted container 01fsaid table in inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly saidupper position thereof, thereinto,

(f) chute means for receiving said filled inverted con- (b) grippingpressure varying means for varying the tainer from said table anddelivering said filled conpressure'with which said gripping meansrespectively tainer in a generally upright position, grip said oppositeend portions of said inverted con- (g) platform means for receiving saidfilled upright tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by saidcontainer from said chute means, and gripping means when said invertedcontainer is being (h) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means forpushing said filled'upright container along said platform means. I

23. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at pulled from saidstack to a relatively low pressure exerted by said gripping means whensaid inverted container is in said position for receiving articles fedupwardly thereinto,

a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and forpacking articles therein, said machine comprising (0) clamping means forclamping said stack of inverted nested containers to prevent movement ofsaid bottom container into an improper position for grip- (a) a pair ofspaced, horizontally reciprocable bending means respectively movablehorizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions ofa bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers inwardly andaway from the opposite end portions of a next succeeding container insaid stack,

(b) a pair of spaced vertically and horizontally reciprocable, openableand closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portionsopenable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween arespective one of said inwardly bent opposite end portions of saidbottom container, said gripping means being lowerable from an upperposiping by said gripping means, said clamping means being releasable torelease said stack of containers after said bottom container has beenpulled downwardly therefrom,

(d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articlesfed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable fromsaid lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said invertedcontainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted containerwith said articles and to push said articles farther to strip saidfilled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose saidfilled inverted container on said table in an upper position ti-on tomove said bottom container downwardly from f id t bl said stack anddispose said container in an inverted (e) horizontally reciprocablefirst pusher means for Position for receiving articles fed p ythereinto, pushing said filled inverted container off said table in saidgripping means also being movable horizontally id upper iti th f,

outwardly to bend Said inwardly bent pp end (f) chute means forreceiving said filled inverted conportions of said inverted containerback outwardly to the normal position thereof,

(c) clamping means for clamping said stack of inverted nested containersto prevent movement of said bottom container into an improper positionfor gripping by said gripping means, said clamping means beingreleasable to release said stack of containers after said bottomcontainer has been pulled downwardly therefrom,

(d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articlesfed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable fromsaid lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said invertedcontainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted containerwith said articles and to push said tainer from said table anddelivering said filled container in a generally upright position,

(g) platform means for receiving said filled upright container from saidchute means, and

(h) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for pushing saidfilled upright container along said platform means.

25. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, horizontallyreciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly torespectively bend the opposite end portions of a bottom container in astack of inverted nested conarticles father to strip said filledinverted container 63 tainers inwardly and away f the opposite end popfrom Said pp means and dispose Said fined tions of a next succeedingcontainer in said stack, inv d Container 011 d table in an pp Position(b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally recipof said table,rocable, openable and closable gripping means each (e) horizontallyreciprocable first pusher means for including a pair of grippingportions openable to repushing said filled inverted Container OiT S itable i ceive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween said upperposition thereof, a respective one of said inwardly bent opposite end(f) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conportions of saidbottom container, said gripping tainer from said table and deliveringsaid filled conmeans being lowerable from an upper position to tainer ina generally upright position, move said bot-tom container downwardlyfrom said stack and dispose said container in an inverted posivertedcontainer on said table in an upper position of tion for receivingarticles fed upwardly thereinto, said table. said gripping means alsobeing movable horizontally 27. A packaging machine for feedingcontainers one at outwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end atime from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested conportions of saidinverted container back outwardly to tainers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comthe normal position thereof, prising (c)gripping pressure varying means for varying the (a) a pair of spaced,vertically reciprocable, openable pressure with which said grippingmeans respectively grip said opposite end portions of said invertedconand closable gripping means each including a pair of grippingportions openable to receive therebetween and closable to griptherebetween a respective tainer from a relatively high pressure exertedby said gripping means when said inverted container is being one of apair of opposite end portions of a bottom pulled from said stack to arelatively low pressure container in a stack of inverted nestedcontainers, exerted by said gripping means when said inverted saidgripping means being lowerable from an upper container is in saidposition for receiving articles fed position to move said bottomcontainer downwardly upwardly thereinto, from said stack and disposesaid container in an in- (d) clamping means for clamping said stack ofinverted verted position for receiving articles fed upwardly nestedcontainers to prevent movement of said botthereinto, tom container intoan improper position for gripping (b) gripping pressure varying meansfor varying the by said gripping means, said clamping means beingpressure with which said gripping means respecreleasable to release saidstack of containers after tively grip said opposite end portions of saidinverted said bottom container has been pulled downwardly container froma relatively high pressure exerted therefrom, by said gripping meanswhen said inverted container (e) a vertically reciprocable table forhorizontally reis being pulled from said stack to a relatively lowceiving articles fed thereto ina lower position thereof, pressureexerted by said gripping means when said said table being raisable fromsaid lower position to inverted container is in said position forreceiving push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted articles fedupwardly thereinto, and container held by said gripping means to fillsaid (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally reinvertedcontainer with said articles and to push said ceiving articles fedthereto in a lower position therearticles farther to strip said filledinverted container of, said table being raisable from said lowerposifrom said gripping means d dispose id fill d i tion to push articlesthereon upwardly into said inverted container on said table in an upperposition of verted container held by said gripping means to fill saidtable, said inverted container with said articles and to push (f)horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for said articles fartherto strip said filled inverted conpushing said filled inverted containeroff said table tainer from said gripping means and dispose said in saidupper position thereof, filled inverted container on said table in anupper (g) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conposition ofsaid table.

28. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, verticallyreciprocable, openable tainer from said table and delivering said filledcontainer in a generally upright position,

(h) platform means for receiving said filled upright container from saidchute means, and

(i) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for pushing saidfilled upright container along said platform means.

26. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from thebottom of a stack of inverted nested and closable gripping means eachincluding a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetweenand closable to grip therebetween a respective one of a pair of oppositeend portions of a bottom container containers and for packing articlestherein, said machine 49 in a stack of inverted nested Containers, SaidPP comprising means being lowerable from an upper position to (a) a pairof a d, horizontally reciprocable bending move said bottom containerdownwardly from said means respectively movable horizontally inwardly toSt ck and dispose said container in an inverted posirespectively bendthe opposite end portions of a bot- 50 tion for receiving articles fed py thefeinto, torn container inastack of inverted nested containersclamping means for Clamping Said stack of inwardly d away f o thopposite d ortions verted nested containers to prevent movement of saidof a next succeeding container in said stack, bottom container into an pp Position for P' (b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontallyrecip- P y Said g pp g means, Said p ng means rocable, openable d 1 bl ii means h being releasable to release said stack of containers includinga pair of gripping portions openable to reafter said bottom containerhas been pulled downceive therebetween and closable to grip therebetweenwardly therefrom, and a respective one of said inwardly bent oppositeend (0) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally reportions ofaid bottom ontai id gripping ceiving articles fed thereto in a lowerposition theremeans being lowerable fro an upper iti t of, said tablebeing raisable from said lower position move said bottom o tain d dl fid to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted stack anddispose said container in an inverted posi- Container held by Said ppmeans to fill Said tion for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,said verted Container With Said articles and to P Said gripping meansalso being movable horizontally ntarticles farther to strip said filledinverted container wardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite endporfrom Said pp means and dispose Said filled i tions of said invertedcontainer back outwardly to the normal position thereof, and

verted container on said table in an upper position of said table.

(c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally re- A Packagingmachine for feeding Containers 0116 at ceiving articlgs fed thereto in alower position therea time from th bottom Of 3. stack Of inverted nestedCOH- of, said table being raisable from said lower position tainers andfor P g articles therein, said machine to push articles thereon upwardlyinto said inverted p i i g container held by said gripping means to fillsaid (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bendinvertedcontainer with said articles and to push said ing means respectivelymovable horizontally inarticles farther to strip said filled invertedcontainer wardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions fromsaid gripping means and dispose said filled in- 7 of a bottom containerin a stack of inverted nested verted container on said table in an upperposition of said table. 31. A packaging machine for feeding containersone at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containersand for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair ofspaced, vertically reciprocable, openable and closable gripping meanseach including a pair of gripping portions openable to receivetherebetween to move said bottom container downwardly from and closableto grip therebetween a respective one said stack and dispose saidcontainer in an inverted of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottomconposition for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, tainer in astack of inverted nested containers, said said gripping means also beingmovable horizontally gripping means ing lowerable from an upperposioutwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end '[iOIl to movesaid bottom container downwardly from portions of said invertedcontainer back outwardly said stack and dispose said Container in an invrted to h normal iti th of, position for receiving articles fed upwardlythereinto,

(c) gripping pressure varying means for varying the g pp g PfsssureVarying means for Varying the pressure with which said gripping meansrespectively P with Which said g pp means respectively grip saidopposite end portions of said inverted con- P said pp end Portions ofsaid inverted tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by saidtamer f a relatively high pressure exerted y s id gripping means whensaid inverted container is being pp g means When said inverted containeris being pulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure Pulled fromsaid stack to a relatively low Pressure exerted by said gripping meanswhen said inverted eXel'ted y said pp means When i inver ed container isin said position for receiving articles fed container is in saidPosition receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, and upwardlythsl'siflto,

(d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally re- Clampmgmeansifof clamping said stack f inceiving articles fed thereto in alower position therevefted Ilssted containsfs Prevent movement of of,said table being raisable from said lower position l lifottom containerinto an p p Position for to push articles thereon upwardly into saidinverted pP g y said pp means, said Clamping container h l by id i imeans to fill id means being releasable to release said stack ofconinverted container i h said articles and to Push tainers after saidbottom container has been pulled said articles farther to strip saidfilled inverted condownwardly therefrom, and tamer fr said grippingmeans and dispose id (d) a vertically reciprocable table forhorizontally refill d inverted container on said table in an uppercerving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereposition of saidtable of, said table being raisable from said lower position 30. Apackaging machine for feeding containers one at to push articles thereonupwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means tofill said inverted container with said articles and to push saidarticles farther to strip said filled inverted container from saidgripping means and dispose said filled a time from the bottom of a stackof inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, saidmachine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocablebending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectivelybend the opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack ofinverted nested coninverted container on said table in an upper positionof said table.

32. A packaging machine for feeding containers one tainers inwardly andaway from the opposite end portions of a next succeeding container insaid stack, (b) a pair of spaced vertically and horizontally recipat atime from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and forpacking articles therein, said machine comprising rocable, openable andclosable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portionsopenable to re-.

ceive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween (a? a pair ofspaced, horizontally reciprocable bendrng means respectively movablehorizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opopsite end porarespective one of said inwardly bent 0 posite end portions of saidbottom container, said gripiping means 22 25 2 12522?s a Stacl; ofInverted being lowerable from an upp r position to move said d l W r yan away the .01). bottom container downwardly from said stack and P051 ien portions of a next succeedmg container dispose said container in aninverted position for re- Sal ceiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,said gripping a pan 0 Spaced Vertically and l reclp' means also beingmovable horizontally outwardly to openakfle and l s gnPPing means eachbend said inwardly bent opposite end portions of mchjldmg a pan ofgnPPmg Portions Openabls to said inverted container back outwardly tothe normal cell/Q therebetween and closable g ip mem eposifion thereof,tween a respective one of said inwardly bent opposite (c) clamping meansfor clamping said stack of inverted Portions of said 'bOttOIIl ntainer,said gripping nested containers to prevent movement of said botmeans Flowerable from an pp r P iKi II to tom container into an improperPosition for gripping move said bottom container downwardly from said bysaid gripping means, said clamping means being stack and dispose saidcontainer in an inverted posireleasable to release said stack ofcontainers after for receiving articles fsd p y r nto, said said bottomcontainer has been pulled downwardly PP means also being movable h riZnt'ally outflmrefmm, and wardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite endpor- (d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally retiOnS Of idinv rt d Container back outwardly to ceiving articles fed thereto in alower position thereth normal position thereof, of, said table beingraisable from said lower position (C) gripping pressure varying meansfor varying the to push articles thereon upwardly into said invertedpressure with which said gripping means respectively container held bysaid gripping means to fill said ingrip said opposite end portions ofsaid inverted converted container with said articles and to push saidtainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said articles fartherto strip said filled inverted container gripping means when saidinverted container is from said gripping means and dispose said filledin- 7 being pulled from said stack to a relatively low pres- 27 sureexerted by said gripping means when said inverted container is in saidposition for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,

(d) clamping means for clamping said stack of inverted nested containersto prevent movement of said bottom container into an improper positionfor gripping by said gripipng means, said clamping means beingreleasable to release said stack of containers after said bottomcontainer has been pulled downwardly therefrom, and

(e) a vertically reciproc'able table for horizontally receiving articlesfed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable fromsaid lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said 28 fills'aid inverted container with said articles and to push said articlesfarther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping meansand dispose said filled inverted containers on said table in an upperposition of said table.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,453,767 5/1923Reese et a1 53243 XR 2,917,882 12/1959 Buck. 2,976,659 3/1961 Flanaganet al. 53237 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

inverted container held by said gripping means to 15 P. H. POI-IL, R. J.ALVEY, Assistant Examiners.

1. A PACKAGING MACHINE FOR FEEDING CONTAINERS ONE AT A TIME FROM THEBOTTOM OF A STACK OF INVERTED NESTED CONTAINERS AND FOR PACKING ARTICLESTHEREIN, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING (A) A PAIR OF SPACED, VERTICALLYRECIPROCABLE, OPENABLE AND CLOSABLE GRIPPING MEANS EACH INCLUDING A PAIROF GRIPPING PORTIONS OPENABLE TO RECEIVE THEREBETWEEN AND CLOSABLE TOGRIP THEREBETWEEN A RESPECTIVE ONE OF A PAIR OF OPPOSITE END PORTIONS OFA BOTTOM CONTAINER IN A STACK OF INVERTED NESTED CONTAINERS, SAIDGRIPPING MEANS BEING LOWERABLE FROM AN UPPER POSITION TO MOVE SAIDBOTTOM CONTAINER DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID STACK AND DISPOSE SAID CONTAINERIN AN INVERTED POSITION FOR RECEIVING ARTICLES FED UPWARDLY THEREINTO,AND (B) A VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE TABLE FOR HORIZONTALLY RECEIVINGARTICLES FED THERETO IN A LOWER POSITION THEREOF, SAID TABLE BEINGRAISABLE FROM SAID LOWER POSITION TO PUSH ARTICLES THEREON UPWARDLY INTOSAID INVERTED CONTAINER HELD BY SAID GRIPPING MEANS TO FILL SAIDINVERTED CONTAINER WITH SAID ARTICLES AND TO PUSH SAID ARTICLES FARTHERTO STRIP SAID FILLED INVERTED CONTAINER FROM SAID GRIPPING MEANS ANDDISPOSE SAID FILLED INVERTED CONTAINER ON SAID TABLE IN AN UPPERPOSITION OF SAID TABLE.